Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Yahoo LAUNCHCAST Song Of The Day-Snooks Eaglin


Artist:Snooks Eaglin

Song:I Went To The Mardi Gras

Album:Mardi Gras Time





Guitarist Ford "Snooks" Eaglin is known in his native New Orleans as The Human Jukebox because even his band never knows what classic songs he will play. He is yet another R & B legend to be rediscovered as a senior. He was born Jan. 21, 1936 in New Orleans and was blinded by glaucoma as a child. He was given a guitar at age eight and was playing professionally with Allen Toussaint's group The Flamingoes in the 50s. The nickname came from the well known radio character Baby Snooks. Eaglin recorded with producer Dave Bartholomew and Inperial Records in the early 60s and was hailed for his fluid guitar style and vocals. In the 70s he recorded for the Swedish label Sonet but Eaglin was mostly forgotten until rediscovered by Nauman & Hammond Scott and signed to their Black Top label in 1987. He remained with Black Top until they closed in 1999. I Went To The Mardi Gras is from the 1995 CD Soul's Edge featuring arrangements by former Meters bassist George Porter Jr. Mardi Gras Time is a various artists CD with a Mardi Gras theme from Easydisc. Beginners might want to check it out. The Black Top catalog is now owned by the Japanese P-Vine label and they have been reissuing some of Eaglin's recordings. He last recorded in 2002. Snooks Eaglin does perform occasionally in New Orleans but I would describe him as semi retired. He's definitely worth checking out. Here's Snooks Eaglin & George Porter Jr. performing Baby Please at the Lonestar Roadhouse in New Orleans.

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